Polymeric sand: mixed results for us. Still ended up pulling weeds in the cracks every spring. If there’s a magic bullet for that, I haven’t found it yet.
That’s been my experience too—polymeric sand is hyped up, but I still find myself out there with a weeding tool every year. I’ve even tried the “boiling water” trick and it’s just... temporary. Sometimes I wonder if the only real solution is to embrace a little wildness and let some moss or groundcover fill in the gaps.
On the paver vs concrete debate, I lean toward pavers just because you can get creative with patterns and colors, but yeah, matching them later is a pain. I’ve seen people mix in a few contrasting stones when they have to replace one, almost like an intentional design choice. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but it can look cool if you commit to it.
Curious—has anyone tried those newer “eco” pavers that let grass grow through? I keep seeing them pop up in design magazines, but I’m skeptical about how they hold up in real life, especially with kids or pets running around.
Title: Digging Up The Backyard: Found More Than Just Dirt
I get the appeal of those eco pavers, but honestly, I’ve seen a few installations where the grass just turned patchy or muddy—especially in high-traffic spots. They look great in photos, but maintenance seems like a real commitment. Sometimes I think a well-placed groundcover or even low-growing thyme between regular pavers is less hassle and still softens things up. Matching pavers is a pain, but I do like the idea of making it intentional with a few accent stones... kind of turns a problem into a feature.